Little resistance in new US-Afghan offensive

Little resistance in new US-Afghan offensive
By DEB RIECHMANN
Associated Press Writer
Dec 5, 4:53 AM EST

KABUL (AP) -- U.S. Marines and Afghan troops, conducting the first offensive since the new American war plan was announced, met little resistance from insurgents Saturday as they worked to disrupt Taliban supply and communications lines in a key valley in southern Afghanistan.

About 1,000 Marines and 150 Afghan troops are taking part in "Operation Cobra's Anger" in the Now Zad Valley of Helmand province, the scene of heavy fighting last summer.

On Friday, helicopters and MV-22 Osprey aircraft dropped hundreds of troops behind Taliban lines in the northern end of the valley in the first offensive since President Barack Obama announced a troop buildup. A second, larger Marine force pushed northward from the Marines' main base.

"We're not taking for granted the low level of contact," Marine spokesman Maj. William Pelletier said Saturday. "Just because it's quiet now doesn't mean it will be in 24 hours. Part of the operation is to have a disruptive effect on the Taliban resupply activities. The Marines and Afghan forces are continuing the clearing operation, continuing to move through the valley."

No casualties have been reported by U.S. or Afghan military authorities. A statement from the Afghan Defense Ministry said four militants have been killed and two others arrested. It said that troops confiscated one 82 mm mortar, 200 mines and 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of explosives.


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